In Science, it is necessary for students to understand the concepts of Energy and Matter.

To meet these needs, we have accomplished the Burning Match Experiment.


Background knowledge involves Matter being defined as anything you can touch, hold, and place in your pocket (if big enough). Energy is defined as anything that is not Matter.

Matter

Energy

chair

sound

marble

sunlight

rock

rock falling of a cliff

baseball

heat

paperclip

moving

This experiment allowed us to do a "Before and After" comparison of the concepts of Matter and Energy and the effects of Energy on Matter (in this case fire on wood).


stock-photo-fire-flame-heat-burning-wood-match-black-isolated-65861674_edited-1.jpg

Before

Comparison

After




Wood

CHANGES

Ash

Hard

CHANGES

Soft

White

CHANGES

Black

Straight

CHANGES

Not Straight

Long

CHANGES

Short

Students determined:

  1. Energy can CHANGE Matter.

  2. Energy can MOVE Matter (smoke-ash moving through air).